Norris Lee after a jury found them not guilty of charges stemming from a fight that left a man dead.

The two men were acquitted in Supreme Court of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Jamaican nationals Roy Berger and Stanley Barnett in a fight near Marshall's grocery store on Happy Valley Road on February 10 last Year.

Barnett died 13 days later in hospital of skull fractures and brain haemorrhaging. Berger sustained a broken jaw and eye injuries.

The jury reached the verdict after more than four hours of deliberation.

Lee, 26, is from Cavendish Heights, Devonshire, and Edwards, 23, is from South Road, Paget.

Earlier in the day, Lee's lawyer, Mr. Philip Perinchief, told the jury in his final submissions the two men were not concerned together in the incident, but that it was a coincidence they were both at Happy Valley Road that day.

Mr. Perinchief told the jury it was because of Berger the fight took place.

"Berger is the one who should be on trial for manslaughter. He was the instigator of the fight, and it was his actions from the start to finish.

"Lee stepped in to stop the fight. Why would he suddenly undergo a Jekyll and Hyde transformation and hurt the man that he had jumped in to save? "Lee was the man in the middle. It was like jumping in a stream to save a drowning man, and then getting swept away yourself.'' Mr. Perinchief told the jury the prosecution helped prove the defence's case.

"Throughout the trial, the prosecution has fallen woefully short in proving their case,'' he said.

Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward instructed the jury on reaching and returning a verdict, and released them to the jury room to reach their verdict.

Shortly after 5 p.m., the jury returned with the not guilty verdict, which was met with jubilation by Lee and Edwards' family and friends.

Lee told the media: "I am sorry that a man died, but it was an accident. I had to defend myself. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I had to show that I was not the kind of person that the prosecution was trying to portray.'' Mr. Perinchief said: "There are no winners or losers in a case like this. A man died, and that is tragic. But my client's position at all times was that he was defending himself, and that Mr. Barnett's death was accidental.'' Lee's father, Mr. Fred Lee, Sr., said: "I thank God. All of my prayers were answered.'' DADDY'S HOME -- Frederick Norris Lee, Jr. has a kiss for daughter Kadinjah Lee-Smith yesterday.